Space Tourism: The Latest News, Features and Photos
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Latest about space tourism
![a space capsule launches away from its rocket atop a pillar of flame, with blue sky in the background.](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/nEciQqKXW28Xc9zSAR4sNA-320-80.jpg)
Blue Origin will return to flight with uncrewed mission on Dec. 18
By Mike Wall published
Blue Origin plans to end its 15-month spaceflight hiatus with an uncrewed mission of its New Shepard suborbital vehicle on Dec. 18.
![the silhouette of a spacesuit floats with a tether in front of a yellow-lit background, which fades to black toward the right.](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/5Nc5u4RozrxLL45WteJkjP-320-80.jpg)
'Space Rescue Service' needed for coming space tourism era, report argues
By Elizabeth Howell published
People are launching to space in ever-greater numbers, with few backups in case of trouble. A 'Space Rescue Service' might fill in the gap, a new report argues.
![Blue Origin’s New Shepard flies toward space carrying Good Morning America co-anchor Michael Strahan, Laura Shepard Churchley, daughter of astronaut Alan Shepard, and four other civilians on December 11, 2021 near Van Horn, Texas. The six are riding aboard mission NS-19, the third human spaceflight for the company which is owned by Amazon founder Jeff Bezos.](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/7B6DaSgzQGUCJZkRWmqNfh-320-80.jpg)
Blue Origin: Everything you need to know about the private spaceflight company
By Elizabeth Howell last updated
Reference Blue Origin flies space tourists to the final frontier.
![an astronaut in a flight suit full of badges and stripes](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/EQBgEmDeMHFKKAbsLSMhSK-320-80.jpg)
Axiom Space astronaut Marcus Wandt says space is 'more real' thanks to private flights
By Elizabeth Howell published
Marcus Wandt was selected as a standby project astronaut in 2022. The European Space Agency now has a spot for him in space: the Axiom Space Ax-3 mission expected to fly in January 2024.
![three pens sit on a light-blue notebook on a table.](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/h7Z3arTx3aWfMWy8k622x4-320-80.jpg)
Fisher Space Pens to fly with Blue Origin crews as 'official ballpoint'
By Robert Z. Pearlman published
Fisher Space Pen has new Blue ballpoints. The maker of the pressurized-ink writing instruments has partnered with Blue Origin to become the company's pen provider for all upcoming crewed launches.
![the curve of earth against the blackness of space, with part of a silvery spacecraft in the foreground.](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/HZFvmLDEh4bes4TZ3TCAZ-320-80.jpg)
Virgin Galactic to ground its VSS Unity space plane next year: report
By Mike Wall published
Virgin Galactic plans to pause flights with its VSS Unity suborbital space plane next year to ramp up work on its next-generation 'Delta class' vehicles.
![the curve of earth against the blackness of space, with part of a silvery spacecraft in the foreground.](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/HZFvmLDEh4bes4TZ3TCAZ-320-80.jpg)
Virgin Galactic launches researchers to suborbital space on 5th commercial flight (video)
By Nola Taylor Tillman published
Virgin Galactic's reusable space plane VSS Unity aced its fifth commercial mission today (Nov. 2), continuing the one-flight-per-month tempo the company began this spring.
![a man and woman wave in front of a space plane](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/re94aadFM3AFc8Gkzmgkaj-320-80.png)
Virgin Galactic set to launch Galactic 05 mission with research duo today (Nov. 2)
By Josh Dinner last updated
The flight will mark half a year of consistent monthly launches for the spaceflight company.
![a woman smiling](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/fx53qpjdiHTKqFLzJ4jUgH-320-80.jpg)
Virgin Galactic astronaut Kellie Gerardi is ready for broader access to space
By Josh Dinner published
Just days before her first spaceflight, Kellie Gerardi talks about the importance of microgravity research and making the final frontier more accessible for all.
![the curvature of Earth can be seen behind a silver spaceplane](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/pKNErAaFKSVmQNv9AoW7UC-320-80.jpg)
New Horizons' Alan Stern will fulfill a lifelong dream on Virgin Galactic spaceflight this week
By Nola Taylor Tillman published
When Alan Stern launches to space this week on Virgin Galactic's fifth commercial flight, he'll accomplish the goal of a lifetime. But it won't just be a joyride for Stern — he'll be working.
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